Millions of bacteria are on the move, the mouth is indeed a busy place. While some bacteria may be harmless, others are bound to attack the teeth as well as gums. They are contained in a colourless sticky film called plaque, the root cause of gum disease. If not removed, plaque builds up on the teeth and ultimately irritates the gums and causes bleeding. Left unchecked, bone and connective tissue are destroyed, and teeth often become loose and may have to be removed. Dr. Priyank Mathur of Smilekraft Dentistry lists 5 ways to maintain your oral hygiene while preventing gum disease:
- Brush your teeth:
Basic oral hygiene is the first line of defence against gum disease. As obvious as this may sound, regular brushing can do wonders for gum disease prevention. - Use a Tongue Scraper:
Tongue scrapers are essential to use, and they can remove a ton of bacteria that gets trapped on your tongue. Your tongue is really nothing more than a giant sponge in your mouth, soaking up bacteria that will eventually work its way into your gums. - Avoid Smoking:
Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. Your risk of getting gum disease if you’re not a smoker is one-seventh the risk of someone who does use tobacco. - Improve your diet:
Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet will help your smile stay clean and bright. With the proper nutrients in your body, your immune system will naturally fight the bacteria that causes bad breath and gum disease. - Regular dental check-ups:
You might not be able to detect that you have gum disease, even if you watch for symptoms. Dr. Priyank Mathur from Smilekraft Dentistry can detect signs of gum disease before you do.
